Senior Optical Engineer Jobs

Explore Senior Optical Engineer opportunities with organizations developing advanced optical and photonic technologies. Ladders features vetted professional roles paying $100,000 or more, including positions focused on optical design, imaging systems, lasers, and precision instrumentation.

What Senior Optical Engineers Do

Senior Optical Engineers design, analyze, test, and refine optical systems and components. Their work may span lenses, cameras, sensors, lasers, fiber-optic systems, imaging instruments, and optoelectronic devices. They often use optical modeling and simulation tools, guide prototype development, interpret test results, and collaborate with electrical, mechanical, software, and manufacturing teams to bring products from concept to production.

Common Skills and Qualifications

Employers commonly seek a degree in optical engineering, physics, electrical engineering, or a related technical field, along with substantial experience developing optical systems. Relevant skills may include optical design and analysis, imaging and illumination, tolerance analysis, metrology, laboratory testing, laser safety, and familiarity with tools such as Zemax OpticStudio or CODE V. Senior roles may also call for technical leadership, clear communication, and experience mentoring engineers or coordinating cross-functional projects.

Industries and Career Opportunities

Senior Optical Engineers work across aerospace and defense, medical devices, semiconductors, telecommunications, consumer electronics, scientific instrumentation, and photonics. Depending on the employer, roles may emphasize research and development, product engineering, systems integration, manufacturing support, or technical program leadership. Browse opportunities to find positions aligned with your specialties, experience, and career goals.

Find Senior Optical Engineer Jobs on Ladders

Search vetted Senior Optical Engineer jobs paying $100,000 or more on Ladders. Review role requirements, compare opportunities, and discover professional positions where your optical engineering expertise can make an impact.

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$141K - $224K *

Drive innovation as you design and deploy advanced Free-Space Optical Communications solutions, leading projects for government and military clients while mentoring engineers and engaging with diverse...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$141K - $224K *

Join a dynamic team to design, implement, and troubleshoot advanced Free-Space Optical Communications systems for government and military clients, driving innovation and technical excellence across di...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$109K - $175K *

Transform automated testing for cutting-edge silicon photonics products. Collaborate with engineers to develop efficient hardware and software solutions, enhancing product development and production t...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$130K - $155K *

Shape the future of telecommunications by building a custom MLIR-based compiler stack for next-gen AI models on bare-metal 5G/6G silicon. Take ownership of complex compiler tasks to optimize for perfo...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$150K - $200K *

Join a team that's redefining supply chain architecture as a strategic thought partner. Provide enterprise-wide insights into systems, risk, governance, and analytics, ensuring alignment and scalabili...

San Francisco, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $200K *

Engage as a strategic architect across supply chain pillars to ensure coherent and transformative decisions, facilitating gap identification and influence among senior stakeholders for optimized outco...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$140K - $160K *

Join a team that develops advanced navigation algorithms, ensuring seamless integration from simulations to embedded platforms. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize technical solutions...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Join us to innovate dielectric materials for high-voltage applications in nuclear fusion. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to advance R&D projects while managing testing campaigns for material...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$95K - $115K *

Engineer innovative water treatment solutions by designing and developing efficient processes. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure project success while maintaining compliance with indus...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$155K - $298K *

Shape the future of semiconductor manufacturing by leading process innovation and excelling in thin film deposition technology, driving cross-functional collaboration, and optimizing production strate...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$110K - $130K *

Champion the development of optical systems by leading qualification testing, ensuring compliance with global standards, and driving reliability analysis to enhance product performance and safety in t...

Ottawa, ONIn-Person

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Drive product qualification and compliance in the optical device industry. Collaborate with experts to ensure regulatory adherence and lead testing initiatives. Utilize your experience in reliability...

Toronto, ONIn-Person

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Help us drive product excellence by leading qualification testing and compliance for optical systems. Collaborate with experts to ensure regulatory adherence and enhance reliability through innovative...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$220K - $292K *

Shape the future of maritime autonomy by developing advanced software for perception, planning, and execution. Collaborate across teams to enhance mission capabilities and ensure real-time decision-ma...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Pioneer robust hardware solutions critical for data center success, driving the development lifecycle from design to validation. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure performance and efficiency for...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in designing and validating innovative server hardware solutions that meet the performance and reliability demands of large-scale data center operations, collaborating with cross-funct...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Elevate your career by leading advanced IC packaging strategies in a dynamic startup. Drive innovative architectures, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and influence product roadmaps while shap...

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$86K - $165K *

Lead innovative solutions in additive manufacturing, collaborating across teams to enhance aerospace and defense products. Drive technical expertise, develop data packages, and execute builds to advan...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Pioneer advanced computer vision systems in pharmacy automation, enhancing production quality through innovative vision architecture and leadership. Manage cross-functional teams and drive technology...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$173K - $211K *

Lead the development and implementation of safety systems for advanced accelerator facilities, ensuring compliance with regulations while collaborating with engineers and scientists to enhance safety...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$173K - $211K *

Unlock potential by leading the design and implementation of safety systems for advanced accelerator facilities. Collaborate with engineers and scientists to ensure compliance and innovate solutions f...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$210K - $310K *

Unlock potential by enhancing supplier performance through process improvement, quality assurance, and technical support. Collaborate with suppliers to tackle challenges in the aerospace industry, ens...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Join a dynamic team to tackle end-to-end computer vision challenges, ensuring reliable performance in real-world conditions. You'll optimize models and systems for vehicle detection, tracking, and ana...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Transportation

$114K - $213K *

Unlock potential by leading technical discussions and demonstrations of advanced Analog Design Environment tools to enhance customer circuit design experiences while advocating for product improvement...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Drive innovative system solutions through effective Model-Based Systems Engineering and Requirements Management. Collaborate across teams to ensure integrity, compliance, and technical excellence in c...

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a Senior Optical Engineer do?question toggle

    A Senior Optical Engineer designs, models, tests, and improves optical systems and components, such as lenses, imaging devices, lasers, sensors, and photonic systems. The role may also involve technical leadership and collaboration across engineering and product teams.

  • What qualifications are commonly required for Senior Optical Engineer jobs?question toggle

    Requirements vary by employer, but many positions seek a degree in optical engineering, physics, electrical engineering, or a related discipline, plus significant experience with optical design, analysis, testing, and measurement.

  • Which industries hire Senior Optical Engineers?question toggle

    Common employers are found in aerospace and defense, medical technology, semiconductors, telecommunications, consumer electronics, photonics, and scientific instrumentation.

  • What skills are useful for Senior Optical Engineers?question toggle

    Useful skills include optical modeling, lens and imaging design, tolerance analysis, metrology, laboratory testing, laser safety, and experience with optical design software. Senior positions may also require project leadership and cross-functional communication.

  • What salary range can I expect for a Senior Optical Engineer job on Ladders?question toggle

    Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more. Actual compensation depends on factors such as location, experience, industry, and role responsibilities; review individual listings for details.